Catching up with Cory: Marblehead native 'rather surprised' by trade to NHL's Devils

It was a busy 24 hours for Cory Schneider after the trade from Vancouver to New Jersey, but he still managed to answer some questions posed by the Marblehead Reporter with an insight on the comings and goings of a professional athlete.

By Joe McConnell/jmcconnell@wickedlocal.com

Wicked Local

By Joe McConnell/jmcconnell@wickedlocal.com

Posted Jul. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 2, 2013 at 2:19 AM

By Joe McConnell/jmcconnell@wickedlocal.com

Posted Jul. 2, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 2, 2013 at 2:19 AM

Marblehead

» Social News

Cory Schneider is returning to the East Coast.

After growing up in Marblehead and playing two years for Marblehead High School, the former Boston College Eagle was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the New Jersey Devils for the ninth overall pick in this year’s National Hockey League draft June 30. Vancouver selected Bo Horvat with the selection.

Schneider, whose parents Rich and Susan are now Swampscott residents, was the 28th overall pick by Vancouver in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft in Raleigh, N.C. He then went on to play in two national championship games with Boston College before joining the Canucks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.

With the Moose, he was named the AHL’s best goalie, earning him the Baz Bastien Trophy in 2008-09.

The Marblehead native made his NHL debut in 2008-09, and by 2009-11 he was a roster regular as the backup to Roberto Luongo. This year, he played in 30 of the Canucks’ 48 regular season games to be their de facto No. 1 goalie.

Schneider made sort of a homecoming in 2011, when he played in the Stanley Cup Final against his hometown Boston Bruins.

It was a busy 24 hours for Schneider after the trade, but he still managed to answer some questions posed by the Marblehead Reporter with an insight on the comings and goings of a professional athlete.

First of all, where were you when you heard the news that you got traded to the New Jersey Devils?

I was at my apartment in Boston, sort of flipping back and forth from the draft on TV until I got a text from a media member saying that I may be traded in the next few minutes.

Were you surprised by the move? Was there any indication the Canucks were going to trade you?

I was rather surprised. A few days [earlier], I had heard my name come up in trade rumors, but I’ve heard that and been through that before, so I didn’t think too much of it.

What was your reaction when you found out it was the Devils?

I was a little shocked at first, but once it settled in that it was New Jersey, and I would be coming back East, playing with Marty Brodeur [on] a team that has a rich history, and also live in New York City, I became very excited.

When John Tortorella was named Vancouver coach, what did you think about the choice?

I thought it was an interesting choice, but perhaps one that would be good for the team. And then, my fiancée found out he is a dog lover, and she said he's the guy.

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What will you most miss about Vancouver?

I will miss the people in Vancouver the most. I have spent most of the past four to five years there, and made some great friendships in the locker room and by just meeting people around the city.

There hasn’t been a lot of turnover on that team, so it’s a close-knit group.

Are you looking forward to coming back East?

I am very excited to come East. I really haven’t been close to home since my days at Boston College, and now I’m able to have my friends and family nearby and also come visit and see me play.

Plus, my parents don’t have to stay up until 1 a.m. to watch the end of my games.

What are your expectations for next year?

I’m expecting to help New Jersey in any way I can. I don’t know what kind of role I will have, but they clearly made a large investment in me by giving up a first round draft pick.

They must have a strong belief in me, so I want to make sure I reward them by helping the team get back into the playoffs, and become a Stanley Cup contender again.